209119 Pte. Derek Stephen Palmer British Army 7th Battalion Royal Warwicksshire Regiment from:Gt.Barr, Birmingham My father, Derek Palmer from Birmingham, was a Private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment joining up in April 1939. He was part of the BEF and his unit part of 7th Battalion, who I believe entered Belgium on the 19th /20th May and fought a rearguard action on the Ypres/Comines canal alongside the 48th Division and the Wilts and a Scottish regiment. His c/o was Captain Hunt who was killed at some point during the action. He was taken prisoner on about the 28th May, and marched through the Low Countries, (a Dutch family managed to take his name, rank & number to let people know he was still alive. They wrote to him throughout his captivity and remained friends for many years) finishing up in Poland Stalag XXB where he remained despite, at least, one unsuccessful escape attempt. He took part in the 'Death March', during which time he was so ill he couldn't walk due to a poisoned leg and owes his survival to his friend Alf Lane who carried him on his back, so that he wouldn't be shot by the guards. They were liberated first by the Russians, whose Doctor operated on my father's leg with a razor blade. The Americans arrived and after some confusion as to who was claiming which allies, they flew my father home to hospital in the UK.
He spoke very little of his time in prison camp, but I was named after a Polish family's daughter who hid him during an escape attempt. He remained a close friend of Alf Lane for the rest of his life. My father was one of the most delightful, kind and witty man you could wish to meet.
I never liked to ask him any questions because I didn't wish to bring back painful memories, but I would be grateful if anybody has any information about the Royal Warwicks actions at that period or remember him or Alf Lane.
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